Mike Braun of the Smithsonian will once again be our speaker at the November
meeting of the Northern Virginia Bird Club. This time he will talk about a
remarkable conservation effort to save the Red Siskin.
The Red Siskin, a beautiful red and black finch of northern South America,
became endangered due to many decades of intense trapping for the cage-bird
trade, which continues today. Discovery of a previously unknown population
of these birds in 2000 rekindled hope for its survival. This talk will
review the curious history of the siskin's endangerment, and the scientific
data and conservation action needed for its recovery in the complex natural
and political landscape of South America. See the newsletter at
www.nvabc.org for more details and directions. Refreshment and chat start
at 7:30. We will have our usual book exchange table.
Joanna Taylor
Arlington, VA
